androidiosphone
27/02/2023
404 Views

T-Mobile partners with BMW on first 5G-connected cars in U.S.

March 17 (UPI) -- T-Mobile and BMW announced a partnership Thursday for America's first 5G-connected cars.

Under the partnership, T-Mobile's new Magenta Drive for BMW can be extended to a customer's existing T-Mobile postpaid plan for $20 a month to activate a Personal eSIM that brings high-speed Internet access to the new BMW all-electric iX and i4 vehicles.

The Personal eSIM, which is built into the mobile phone, tablet or smartwatch, allows connectivity to the cellular network, which means a person won't have to tinker with a tiny SIM card to get connected to the vehicle's 5G antennas and enable in-car Wi-Fi hotspot. Instead, users are able to sign in with their BMW ID to connect the eSIM to the iX and i4 vehicles.

Since the Personal eSIM is linked to the customer's BMW ID, it can be transferred to other BMW vehicles that have Personal eSIM functionality, according to BMW's statement.

RELATED BMW recalling more than 900,000 vehicles over fire risk

Customers complete set-up of T-Mobile Magenta Drive for BMW through the My BMW app, and once it's completed they don't need their phones in the car to make and receive calls using their current cell phone number.

Adding Magenta Drive for BMW to T-Mobile plan, will also allow users to connect up to 10 devices at a time to the car with unlimited 5G hotspot data and unlimited voice calling, according to T-Mobile's statement.

"In 2019, we lit up the first nationwide 5G network, and today we mark another milestone that builds on our 5G leadership, T-Mobile Business Group President Callie Field said in a statement. "In another 5G first, we've delivered America's first 5G connected cars, and we're honored to do it together with BMW, who entrust their vehicles' connectivity to T-Mobile."

RELATED GM partners with PG&E, 'on the cusp' of turning EVs into power source

BMW noted that even if customers choose not to add their vehicle to mobile plan, the Personal eSIM functionality will still increase download speed of the car's software upgrades.

RELATED Tesla increases prices after CEO Elon Musk tweets about inflationRELATED AAA says gas prices -- now averaging $4.32 -- will bring changes to driving habits, lifestylesRELATED U.S. to meet with Venezuela as lawmakers strike deal to ban Russian oilU.S. News // 9 minutes agoDow rises 254 points as markets rebound from Fed chair's inflation comments March 22 (UPI) -- U.S. markets rebounded on Tuesday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 254 points after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Monday that inflation is "much too high."

U.S. News // 17 minutes agoBiden to announce new Russian sanctions in Brussels, national security adviser says March 22 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden is expected to announce new sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine when he travels to Brussels this week, a White House official said Tuesday.

U.S. News // 59 minutes agoSurreal footage shows truck's encounter with an EF2 tornadoA young truck driver in Elgin, Texas, accidentally was treated to the ride of his life after he drove directly through the funnel of a damaging EF2 tornado on Monday.

U.S. News // 1 hour agoWhite House spokeswoman Jen Psaki tests positive for COVID-19 March 22 (UPI) -- White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced Tuesday that she tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time in five months.

U.S. News // 2 hours agoGeneral Motors recalls thousands of SUVs over headlight issue March 22 (UPI) -- General Motors has recalled thousands of small SUVs manufactured over close to an eight-year period, over issues with headlights, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

U.S. News // 3 hours agoFlorida brothers sentenced in $112M addiction treatment fraud scheme March 22 (UPI) -- Two brothers were sentenced to prison terms Friday, for orchestrating a $112 million addiction treatment fraud scheme, the Justice Department said Monday.

U.S. News // 3 hours agoAAA: Avereage gasoline prices drop, but increase fears not over March 22 (UPI) -- Average gasoline prices have dropped over the past 10 days after reaching a record-high $4.33 on March 11, giving motorists some hope as the Spring Break and warmer months arrive, according to a new report by AAA.

U.S. News // 9 hours agoSCOTUS nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson defends record on crime, Gitmo during GOP questioning March 22 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans got their chance on Tuesday to lay into questioning of Supreme Court hopeful Ketanji Brown Jackson, many of whom are likely to vote against her confirmation as President Joe Biden's first nominee.

U.S. News // 4 hours agoAAA: 40% of Americans would consider taking cruise March 22 (UPI) -- Over 40% of Americans say they would at least consider setting sail aboard a cruise ship in the future, according to new data released Tuesday by AAA.

U.S. News // 4 hours agoJudge appoints independent counsel to parents in Oxford school shooting March 22 (UPI) -- A circuit court judge appointed separate independent counsel Monday for James and Jennifer Crumbley, who are both charged with involuntary manslaughter for buying the gun used by their son during a school shooting.